Disney's California Adventure celebrated its one-year anniversary on Friday, February 8, 2002. Since its opening, Disney's newest North American theme park has been knocked around in the press, on the Internet and through an apparent foot vote with attendance below predictions despite several ticket price promotions. It is incredibly easy to complain about what Disney's California Adventure isn't.

As a native Southern Californian, I've been fortunate to visit Disneyland many times. It was during one of these trips in 1989 that I first heard the mention of a "second gate" to Disneyland. At the press conference for the opening of Splash Mountain, Michael Eisner addressed the idea. I thought that what was being referred to as a second gate was another point of entry into the Magic Kingdom. I thought that was stupid and against Walt's wishes to bring people into the park under the railroad and down Main Street USA (although the Monorail allows entry via Tomorrowland). The years that followed cleared up the idea of another gate. I saw plans come and go for Westcot and Disney Seas.

Eventually, the second park was given the go-ahead. Disney's California Adventure. I remember pulling into the Disneyland parking lot one day and the towers for the high-tension powerlines that once ran through were now gone. Eventually, other parking was opened, ground was broken and a new theme park grew before my eyes.

I was lucky enough to be there for part of opening day. After work, my wife noticed that the park was empty on a news weather shot of the park. We decided to make the 35-mile trek from our house to Disney's latest creation. It was great saying we were there.

This past year, I have visited the Disneyland Resort nearly 20 times. I've found DCA to be a beautiful park with lots of charm. The photos below represent a year of picture taking. I hope that you find some of the vistas as beautiful as I have. Clicking on each picture will open a larger picture for you to enjoy.

So, enjoy!

- Story and Photos by Matthew Walker
Posted

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